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Happy New Year Everyone! We welcome 2018 and the beautiful manifestations it will surely bring. This particular blog is the introduction of a special series devoted toself-care and self-love throughout the year. The title of the blog series says it all, Sacred Self-care, Sugared Self-love and Handmade Magick.

If you are serious about finally devoting yourself to self-care this year, we will have a lesson prepared for you to follow every two weeks (sometimes weekly). It’s our intention that by the end of 2018 to turn this series into a book…super exciting! Throughout our blog posts, we are open to adding concepts and subjects that are important and interesting to you, so be sure to let us know when you think of something.

We believe that self-care is purging and self-love is pampering. Purging our atmosphere, body, mind and spirit of the daily clutter, dirt and debris we collect is perhaps the most important thing that we can do not only for ourselves, but for those surrounding us. It means healing and realizing that we deserve to be cared for. Then, we pamper. We pamper our souls and minds with knowledge and creativity, and our body with healthy choices and spa-like experiences.

when fall fades

Every December, when the cinnamon-swirled and nutmeg-sprinkled leaves are reluctantly dusted with freshly fallen snowflakes, I find myself anxious about the few cold and dark months ahead. The months where lightly frosted leaves are no longer visible, swallowed by a ravenous storm of snow, ice and darkness.

I feel as though this year has been an intense one for many. For myself, this year has been filled with immense personal transition and self-actualization. Unhealthy habits that I have carried in my pocket since a young age are now the strongest they have ever been. My mind, my body and my soul are exhausted. After thirty years of unhealthy giving, people-pleasing, career uncertainty and lack of any self-care, I have had enough.

the world feels self-care, entirely

It fails to help that we live in a society of hurt. This is becoming an increasingly cruel world. But, change begins with each individual and if we all practice self-care and self-love selflessly, then we all see and feel the effects from it.

“If there is light in the soul there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation there will be peace in the world.” – Chinese Proverb

importance of self care

From one who was never taught to self-care or self-love, I can’t express how important it is. I have spent my entire early-adulthood leaving myself behind, emotionally, spiritually, physically, financially – really any way possible. After a lifetime of no self-care, I have reached an inevitable precipice. If I don’t begin to self-soothe now, I will only walk around surviving, not living. My spirit will have finally broken, my soul will never know true happiness. If there is one lesson we should all be taught from an early age, it is most definitely the concept of self-care and self-love.

Think of it as a vacuum. Without purging all the dirt and debris it has gathered from its daily use, the vacuum will slowly lose its ability to function efficiently. And, in time, stops working altogether.

Just as the vacuum needs purging, we must also rid ourselves of the emotional and mental dirt and debris we collect on a daily basis. How much are you really able to help others when you aren’t operating at a high level? There eventually comes a point when you break, even if it is silently. The silent breaks are the ones that hurt the most. They grab your heart and soul and squeeze out every ounce of self you have until you become unrecognizable, even in your own eyes.

This year, it is exactly what happened. I finally became unrecognizable to myself, only seeing a true eccedentesiast, unhappy in private and smiling for the world to see. It really gives strength to Socrates’ quote, “Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” This quote hits close to home because of a recent and personal situation.

This is when I finally realized, I should enjoy these months rather than dread them. These cold months of winter are ones for self-care, self-love and magick.

lesson learned

This year, I learned my greatest lesson – when you search for change, it happens. Manifesting change begins with your intention to create it.

When I began Eleven Eleven earlier this year, the thought to make it center around living beautiful became a staple. The “beautiful living” mission wasn’t a forced one, it was natural. My mind was gravitating toward a new mindset of beauty and health, from the inside-out. My soul needed it and I began craving it like a gallon of iced-water while crawling along a barren desert.

revel in winter intentions

And so, I’ll sit here in my fluffy robe, take soothing sips of my hot blueberry lavender tea, enjoy the warm glow of candles and revel in this winter’s roar and its many healing supermoons (there are a whopping 3 this month!). I’ll take this sacred time as an opportunity to engage inward, purge myself of gathered debris, hibernate my soul, warm my heart with some much needed TLC and feed my spirit and body with care, knowledge and healthy habits. I’m grateful for this winter and its many conspicuous and disguised blessings.

These long, cold nights are an invitation to stay in and build a foundation for healthy living. Enjoy this special series of blogs as a way to join me in this well deserved journey of self-care. Be sure to watch out for our next blog in this series about reconnection with the self. Join our mailing list here so you’ll never miss a blog!

Hi there ladies and gents! My name is Erica, I am the owner and lead designer of Eleven Eleven. For years, my life has been filled by hobbies and crafts…many more than I would like to admit. If you know me personally, you know that you could ask me to plan an event, design and produce all stationery…and bake and design the cake/desserts, cook the main course, make the flower arrangements and plan and design the tablescapes. Phew, out of mind breath? Me too. And of course, in the middle of doing it all, I’d continue my studies of herbalism and about a million other things I just need to know about…and let us not forget about forming a business in my head during my free time.

I say all of this because it’s an actual, true story. For me, it’s called, 2017. I’m worn out just thinking about everything I did this year. One evening, when my mind was in a complete whirl wind, I took time to sit and create a list of what I enjoy doing, including crafts I want to learn in 2018. Needless to say, there were almost 30 broad topics and crafts written. It’s a little embarrassing, and, I’m totally ok with being called crazy or even scatter-brained; part of me agrees and part of me wonders what I can put on that shelf in the corner so that it pops even more. I just love pretty things, nature and design. I can’t help it! Read more on my bio and about us page.

BORN BEAUTIFUL

So, what do you do when you want to do everything? You begin a small business that sells everything from home décor to body products to celebration aesthetics– mostly handmade with some vintage items and items from other talented, artsy friends and family. You begin a brand, not just a product. And, when you are trying to find balance and positivity in a crazy world and you love to write, you write about life. And so, the Eleven Eleven Shoppe and its’ lifestyle blog were born.

With everything that has happened these last few years, I decided to take my idea of a shoppe and a lifestyle blog and center both on beautiful living. My ultimate goal with both is to create beauty and provide serenity for both of your sanctuaries, your home and body. Cozy, warm and beautiful homes, bodies, minds and spirits translate to good feelings, great vibes and happy lives. Throw in a handful of gratitude and wonder and you’ve got yourself a really, really beautiful life.

Beautiful living begins from within and expands outward. It attracts more beauty, more gratitude and more wonder. Best yet, it attracts beautiful people into your life. Those people carry you, and you them.

MY DEFINITION

If I could be so bold to write my own definition on beautiful living: surrounding your mind, body and spirit with beauty and gratitude.

WELCOME 🙂

Oh boy, this was supposed to be really short, I promised myself. I could go on and on. I’m known for being pretty quiet, but its only because I’m writing a novel in my head 🙂

Anyway, with a full heart and bunches of gratitude, welcome to Eleven Eleven and its’ lifestyle blog, Mulberry Memoirs. Sit back, grab a cup of soothing tea (or a much deserved affogato!) and relax. Stay a while. You’re kind of a big deal and we’re so, so excited to have you 🙂

We’ll be adding more products as time goes on, we’re just getting started!

Mulberry Memoirs, A Blog by the eleven eleven shoppe

About Eleven Eleven

Hello! We are Eleven Eleven, modern day peddlers of wondrous home décor, paper goods, favors and gifts. We believe in a tried and true circle – that a healthy mind, body and spirit fosters beautiful living and beautiful living translates to a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

We hope you enjoy our new lifestyle blog with topics that manifest through living a beautiful and grateful life.